Hydrostatic circuit-closer



E. BCROCKEII.

HYDROSTATIC CIRCUIT CLOSER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY?, 191B.

E. B. CROCKER..

HYDROSTATIC CIRCUIT lCLOSER.

APPLICATION man MAY7.1918.

n Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED' sTAIS ERNEST-B CRQGKER,v or BRIDGEPCRT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR To THE AsHCRoFT PATENT orifice] MANUFACTURING COMPANY, BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

` Specification of Le'tters Patent.

-HYDROSTATIC CIRCUIT-CLOSER.

Application. led May 7, 1918. Serial No. 233,185.

structure Afor automatically controlling an electric circuit, 'which is actuated by Variationv in 'hydrostatic or other pressure to which the device is subjected.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a circuit controlling device of the character referred towhich .is :simple in structure, eicient in operation, economical to manufacture, and easily assembled and applied, andcwhich is strong, -durable and" Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. l

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of p arts, 'all as will be more fully hereinafter'set forth,as'shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the Vappended claims.

In the drawings,- I Figure l is a view in central longitudinal Section on the line 1,1, Fig. 2, looking in4 the `direction of the arrows, showing a structure of automatic, pressure controlled -circuit closer,'emb'odying the. principles of my invention. v

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation looking toward the bottom of the device as viewed 1n Fi 1. lig. 3 is a view similar to Fig.'2 looking toward the top of the device as viewed in Fi 1.

Igfig. 4 is a detached detail view of the shackle or clevis pin for coupling Hupthe device. f 1

In the operation of electrically actuated apparatus and devices of varlous kinds and natures, it is desirable to effect-the control of the circuits of said apparatus and devices through pressure medium, whereby the :ircuits may be maintained normally open,

Jrnorm'ally closed, as the case may be, and

:ntrolled so as to close, or to open, when t predetermined degree of the operating pressure medium is attained. For-example,

in the case of certain'type's of depth bombs,-

mlnes, and the like, where the explosion is effected by an electric current, the circuit is maintained' open under normal conditions, 1n order to secure safety while transporting and .handling the bomb or mine, and is automatlcally closed when the bomb ormine at- Patented Maul, 1921.

tains a depth suiiient to impose a `prede- -termined hydrostatic pressure on the circuit controlling device.

It 1s z'tmongl the special purposes of my present'inventlon to provide a circuit controlling device which is simple in structure and efficient in operation for'eifecting the desired control ofan electric circuit, whether to open or to close the same, by the action estV of pressure medium, hydrostatic or other wise, applled thereto when a predetermined degree ofr pressure is attained, and while I have shown and will describe my invention as applied to a device for 'automatically closing an electric circuit when-the predetermined degree of pressure isattained, and which .is designed to employ hydrostatic pressure as the controlling medium, I wish it to be understood -that my invention 'is not to be limited or restricted in these respects.

In the structure shown asillustrative of the principles of my "invention reference numerals l0, 11, designate, respectively, the terminalsof an electric circuit. These terminals aredisposed in longitudinal line with each other with their adjacent ends or con.

tact points juxtaposed in proximity to each other. Theterminals 10, 11, may be of any suitable ondesired structure, sha e or form.

In .the particular embodiment il ustrated in the drawings, the terminal l0 is' exteriorlv screw threaded for a portion of its length' so as to be screwed into a central longitudinal threaded opening through the inner'end ortionv 13 in a terminal head or block 12.A y turning up or backing off the circuit ter-A minal 10, the distance of separation of the contact point thereof from that of the terminal 11, is adjusted to any desired requirement. The outer end of the terminal 10 is constructed, as at 14, to receive 'a' tool by means of which said terminal maybe screwed up or backed olf, for insertion, removal or adjustment. This outer end of the terminal 10 extends into an enlarged central chamber 15 formed centrally in the outer portion of minal 10. A threaded plug 16 closes terminal head 12 as an enlargement of the threaded opening which receives the ltegt e outer end of the chamber 15, a suitable bushing 17 of hard rubber or other suitable material being interposed between the inner end of plug 16 and the adjacent wall surface of the terminal head, thereby forming an eilicient tight joint to prevent access therethrough of water, moisture, or other substance which might impair the efficiency of the device or cause danger of short circuitin For like reasons the terminal 1() is also suitably packed with a packing ring 18, held by means of a sleeve bushing 20, against a shoulder 19 forme-d in the bore of the central opening of the terminal head throu h which the terminal 10 extends. The bushlng 20 is exteriorly threaded to be screwed into threads tapped in a portion of the interior wall surface of the chamber 15. The inner' end portion 13 of the terminal head 12 is exteriorly threaded to receive a nut 21, against the inner end of which abuts a block 22, preferably of hard rubber, or other suitable insulating material, said block being held in u its abutment against the inner end of bushing 21, by means of a compression spring 23. The insulating block 22 is formed with a central passage therethrough, a portion of which passage is enlarged into a chamber 24 into which, from opposite directions extend the opposed proximate ends or contact points of the" terminal members 10, 11. The terminal head 12, at its inner end, projects through an opening in the end wall of an inclosing casing 25, and must be eiliciently insulated from said casing. -The washers 26, of hard rubber, or other suitable insulating material, serve this purpose, and also the purpose of providing a dust and water proof joint. The nut 21 at the inner end of the terminal head 12, aifords means,

for tightly securing the terminal head 12 in the end of the casing 25, a washer 27 being interposed between said nut and the flange of the insulating washer 26. The' terminal head 12A at its extreme outer end is provided with suitable ears 28 formed with transverse openings 29, as shown, to receive a clevis pin or bolt 30, designed to be held in place by cotter pins received in `holes 31, or otherwise. This structure affords means for connecting the circuit leads to the circuit controlling device.

The coperating one end through a somewhat enlarged opening 32 in block 22, into the` Chamber 24. At its other end the terminal 11 is enlarged as at`33 to form a shoulder 34. The enlarged portion 33 is received within a tubular extension 35 of a plunger 36. r'A cap 37 applied to the end of the tubular member 35 engages the shoulder l34 to retain the terminal member 11, or the enlarged portion terminal 11 extends at.

end of the terminal plug.

33 thereof, within the tubular extension 35. A spring 38 disposed within the tubular extension 35 and between the bottom wall thereof and the end of the enlarged portion 33 of the terminal serves to yieldingly maintain the terminal member rojected to its fullest extent from the casino; 35 with the Shoulder 34 against the cap 37. In the 0peration of the device when the plunger 36 is movedvin a direction to carry the terminal 11 toward and into contact with terminal l() to complete the electric 'circuit the spring 38 will permit the terminal 11 to yield in case excessive pressure is applied to shift the plunger 36. The plunger member 36 constitutes a part of a diaphragm device which consists of a circular ange portion 39 of plunger member 36, a block 40 of insulating material, a rubber diaphragm 41, a wear-plate 42and a disk 43 of suitable insulating material. The insulating block 40 bears against one side surface of the cirplate or washer .47 is interposed between the clamping surface of the dome or cap 46 and the eripheral edge portion of the rubber diap ragm 41 to p revent vruiiing up of the rubber diaphragm when the dome or ca is screwed home into clamping relation. he bearing plate 42 Mis interposed between the insulating disk 43 and the rubber diaphragm 41, these parts being clamped t0- gether and against the peripheral fiange pori tion 39 of plunger member 36. by means of a nut 48 threaded onto the end of the plunger member 36. Theinsulating member 43, wear-plate 42, diaphragm 41, and peripheral flange portion 39, work within an enlarged chamber 49 formed by the enlarged portion 45 of the casing and cap or dome 46, said chamber constituting in effect a c'linder within which the plunger, diap ragm, washer, and wear-plate operate as a diaphragm iston. A terminal plug 50 has a ortion t ereof to extend through an opening in the end wall of the dome or cap 46 and is shouldered as at 51 to bear against the exterior wall surface of said dome or cap, and is held in assembled position by means'of a nut 52 screwed u on the innerhis terminal plug must be efficiently insulated from the dome or cap 46. To this end insulating colmariee ,A g

lars or Washers 53 are interposed between said terminal plug and the adjacent wall surfaces of the dome or cap. The exterior portion of the terminal plu 50 is constructed to receive the circuit lead.. The perforation 54 affords means for this purpose. The circuit connection between the plunger portion 36 and the terminal plug 50 may be established and maintained in any suitable or convenient manner. A simple arrangement for this purpose is shown whereln a conductingl collarv 55 is clamped to the plunger member 36 by the nut 48 and one end of a flexible conductor member 56 is connected to the washer 55. The other end of the flexible conductor member 56 extends into a channel formed in-the terminal plug 50 and is held therein in any convenient Way, as for example, by means of set screw 57. Where'the circuit control device is to be operated by a pressure medium, the pressure medium is permitted access to the interior of the dome or cap 46 and to one side of the diaphragm piston or plunger, as for example, through the openings 58. For illustration,'if the circuit control device is to b e employed in connection with a depth bomb the openings 58 in the cap or dome 46 permits ingress of water which acts upon the plunger diaphragm to cause the same to be shifted in a direction to carry the terminal l1 toward terminal 10. The tension o-f spring 23 is so regulated that when the desired degree of hydrostatic or other pressure is attained, that is, when the control device reaches a redetermined depth in water, the ends of t e terminals 10, 11, are brought into contact with each other, thereby completing the circuit through the device. The movement of the diaphragm piston is yield ingly resisted by the spring 23. In case of excess of pressure being imposed u on thel piston diaphragm the spring 38, as a ove explained, permits the terminal 11 to yield. The flexible conductor section 56 permits the movement of the piston diaphragm relatively to the terminal plug 50.

It will be observed that every precaution `is taken to prevent shortcircuiting by eiiciently insulating the various parts of the device which carry the current. An exceedingly simple, strong, sturdy, and durable structure is provided, which is composed of parts which are capable of being easily manufactured and rapidly assembled.

It will be understood that while in some uses, the parts 50 and 28 may be provided with an insulating coating or covering, in the present illustration, such insulation is not necessary as the current employed is not of sufficiently high potential. In the present illustration the device has been used with very low voltage currents, and has.y

Having now set forth the objects and na- Y ture of my invention, and a structure embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a'circuit controlling device, -a casing,

terminal plugs mounted in the opposite ends of said ca sing but insulated therefrom, a circuit termlnal adjustably mounted in one of said plugs, a diaphragm piston also mounted in said casing and insulated therefrom,

a coperating circuit terminal carried thereby, flexible conductor connections between said diaphragm piston and the other of said terminal plugs, and means to impose the action of a pressure medium upon said diaphragm piston.

2. In a circuit controlling device, a casing formed in alined separable members, a circuit terminal mounted in one of said members but insulated therefrom, a coperating terminal mounted in the other of said members and insulated therefrom, said circuit terminals being arranged in alinement with each other, a diaphragm connected to one of said terminalsand adapted to operate under the influence of pressure when applied thereto to move said alined terminal into contact with the other, means for reioo sisting the movement of said diaphragm,

.diaphragm and adapted to be moved toward and from the other circuit terminal when said diaphra m is subjected to the action of pressure app ied thereto, and a flexible conductor connected to the yieldingly mounted circuit terminal.

4. In a circuit controlling device, a cas'- ing, terminal plugs mounted therein but insulated therefrom, one of said plu having a centrallongitudinal bore theret roughna circuit terminal adjustably mounted in said ing having openin l said openings and bore, pressure controlled devices also ar ranged within said casing, a coperating circuit terminal yieldingly` connected to said pressure controlled devices and arranged in line with said adjustable terminal, a flexible conductor electrically connecting said movable terminal and the other of saidl terminal plugs, and means for yieldingly resisting the action of said pressure controlled devices.

5. In a circuit controlling device, a casing, terminal plugs mounted in the opposite ends thereof but insulated therefrom, one of said plugs having a central longitudinal bore therethrough, said bore having a shoulder formed therein, a circuit terminal mounted in said bore, a packing washer surrounding said terminal and seated against said shoulder, a bushing to retain said packing in position, a, coperating circuit terminal mounted in said casing for movement toward and from said rst mentioned terminal, a flexible conductor connection between said movable terminal and the other of said plugs, and pressure controlled devices for moving said movable terminal.

6. In a circuitcontrolling device, a casin the opposite ends thereof, terminal p ugs projecting through having shoulders to lit against the exterior of said casing ends, means for clamping said terminal plugs in said casing, means'for insulating said plugs from said casing, a circuit terminal carried by one of said'plugs, a coperating circuit terminal mounted 1n said casing for movement toward and from' said first mentioned terminal, a flexible conductor connection between said movable terminal and the other of said plugsz and pressure controlled devices for moving said movable terminal.

. phragm,

ramas 7. In a circuit controlling device, a cas lng, a dome or ca for one end of said casing, a terminal p ug mounted in the other end of said casing but insulated therefrom, a coperating terminal plug mounted in said dome or cap but insulated therefrom, a circuit terminal Icarried by one of said plugs, a coperating circuit terminal mounted in said casing for movement toward and from said first mentioned terminal, flexible conductor connections between said movable terminal and the other Iof said plugs, and pressure controlled devices for moving said movable terminal.

8. In a circuit controlling device, a casing made'in separable sections, one section engaging the other, a circuit terminal carried by one of said casing' sections, a movable diaphragm clamped. by and between said casin sections, a coperating circuit terminal yieldingly connected to said diaphragm and arranged in line with the circuit termnal carried by the other 'section of said casing, and means for yieldingly resisting the movement of said diaphragm.

9. In a circuit controlling device, a casing, terminal plugs mounted in said casing at the opposite ends thereof but insulated from said casing, a plunger diaphragm -device arranged within said casing, a spring to resist the'movement of said p unger diacoperating circuit terminals, one of said terminals carried lby one of said plugs, and the other carried by said plunger diaphragm, but yieldingly movable relative thereto, and flexible conductor connections between said plunger diaphragm and the otherof said plugs. i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 2nd day of May, A. D.

ERNEST B. CROCKER. 

